Rockford crew starts season strong

Rockford crew team's top ten finishers earn the Rams enough points for a first-place win at Forest Hills Central against seven other teams.

In a test of physical strength and endurance, the Rockford crew team stood up to the challenge and excelled. Claiming first-place honors for the second year in a row, the Rams clearly showed they were the best in West Michigan. Competing against Forest Hills Central (FHC), Forest Hills Eastern, Lowell, East Grand Rapids (EGR), Forest Hills Northern, Northview, and Grand Rapids Boat Club, Rockford pulled out a first-place finish with 34 points, 17 points ahead of their closest competitors, EGR and FHC. The race was held at FHC, where rowers competed in two-meter races on indoor rowing machines called ERGs.

Medals were given for first-, second- and third-place finishers, with the following Ram crew members taking home the honors:

novice men: Matt Vermeer first, Bryce Vanderberg second

novice women: Sarah Lemanski third

lightweight women: Shelby Jacobs second

openweight men: Landon Burris second

openweight women: Olivia Kacsits first, Christine Kasper third

coxswain men: Dylan Itter third

coxswain women: Jesi Hernandez third

Other team members placing in the top 10 for the Rams and earning points to ensure Rockford’s first-place win were:

Coached by Tim Jacobs and Greg Hobart, the Rams will compete at their first regatta of the season on Saturday, April 18 at Riverside Park in Grand Rapids. The public is invited to attend and there is no charge for admission.

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